The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves on opening night 110-103, starting its season 1-0 for the first time since 2016.
After a long offseason recovering from a second straight playoff elimination from the Denver Nuggets, the Lakers returned in front of its home fans and delivered a long-awaited opening night win.
Rallied by Anthony Davis’ 36 points and 16 rebounds, the Lakers break its seven-game season opener losing streak.
“Mission No. 1 was to come out and play well and win,” LeBron James told reporters after Tuesday’s win. “It’s my first win on opening night as a Laker. I wanted to get that done.”
First Los Angeles Lakers Season Opening Win Since 2016
A lot has changed since the city of Los Angeles was able to celebrate a 1-0 start.
In 2016 Luke Walton began his head coaching career, Kobe Bryant was newly retired, Timofey Mozgov, Luol Deng, and Julius Randle were starting in the frontcourt and D’Angelo Russell was on his first stint with the purple and gold, heading into his sophomore year.
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Fast forward to today and the Lakers have James and Davis leading the way, JJ Redick at the helm, Russell still wearing No. 1 for the Lakers, but this time during his third season in his second stint with the team and Randle starting for the Timberwolves.
However, a 1-0 start is far from the goal and ultimately means nothing in the long haul. That 2016-17 Lakers team that started undefeated, went on to lose 56 games. But, early signs of success could be what a first-year head coach needs to put the Los Angeles Lakers back into championship contention.
Up next for the Lakers is a visit from the Phoenix Suns on Friday where the Lakers will have a chance to start its season 2-0 for the first time since the 2010-11 Lakers — a team led by Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson that won eight straight games to tip off the season and won 57 regular season games.